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{{short description|American professional wrestler and color commentator (born 1949)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
<!-- Career on independent circuit has not been updated since 2017 -->
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Jerry Lawler
|image = Jerry Lawler (49732536996).jpg
|caption = Lawler in 2020
|names = '''Jerry "The King" Lawler'''
|spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Kay Lawler|1971|1978|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Paula Lawler|February 14, 1982|October 2, 1991|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Stacy Carter]]|September 2000|October 15, 2003|reason=divorced}}}}
|children = 2; including [[Brian Christopher]]
|height = 6 ft 0 in<ref name="WWEProfile">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/jerrylawler|title=Jerry Lawler|access-date=February 23, 2019|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>
|weight = 236 lb<ref name="WWEProfile"/>
| relatives = [[The Honky Tonk Man]] (cousin)<br />Carl Fergie (cousin)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/carl-fergie/ | title=Carl Fergie | Online World of Wrestling }}</ref>
|birth_name = Jerry O'Neil Lawler
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|11|29}}
|birth_place = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|billed = Memphis, Tennessee<ref name=Encyclopedia/>
|trainer = [[Jackie Fargo]]<ref name=gbu/>
|debut = 1970<ref name=slambio/>
|retired = 2023
}}
'''Jerry O'Neil Lawler''' (born November 29, 1949),<ref name=ProFightDB-Bio>{{cite web|url= http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/jerry-lawler-150.html|title=Jerry Lawler|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> better known as '''Jerry''' "'''the King'''" '''Lawler''', is an American retired [[color commentator]] and [[professional wrestler]] signed to [[WWE]] under a Legends contract.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-jerry-lawler-no-longer-wwe-company-did-not-renew-his-contract?amp | title=Report: WWE Doesn't Renew Jerry Lawler's Broadcasting Contract | Fightful News }}</ref>
Prior to joining the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE) in 1992, he wrestled in numerous [[List of National Wrestling Alliance territories|territories]], winning many [[Championship (professional wrestling)|championships]], including multiple World Heavyweight Championships, throughout his career. Lawler is a one-time [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship|AWA World Heavyweight Champion]] and a three-time [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship|WCWA World Heavyweight Champion]]: he [[Championship unification|unified]] the titles by defeating [[Kerry Von Erich]] at [[SuperClash#SuperClash III|Superclash III]], forming the [[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship]], a championship which he held 28 times. He is also known for his feud with comedian [[Andy Kaufman]], and for portraying himself in the 1999 [[Jim Carrey]] film about Kaufman, ''[[Man on the Moon (film)|Man on the Moon]]''.
In 2007, Lawler was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]].
==Early life==
Lawler was born November 29, 1949, in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], where he graduated from Treadwell High School.<ref name=ProFightDB-Bio /> When he was 19, his father, Jerome Lawler, died.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2020/11/10/star-stories-jerry-king-lawler-celebrates-years-inside-ring/|title=5 Star Stories: Jerry 'The King' Lawler celebrates 50 years inside the ring|date=November 11, 2020 }}</ref>
==Professional wrestling career==
{{BLP sources section|date=November 2021}}
===Early career (1970–1977)===
While working in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], as a [[disc jockey]], Lawler's artistic ability attracted the attention of local wrestling [[Professional wrestling promotion|promoter]] Aubrey Griffith.<ref name=slambio>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lawler.html|title=SLAM Bio: Jerry Lawler|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=October 8, 2007|date=February 5, 2005|archive-date=July 14, 2012|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120714192415/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lawler.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
The two made an agreement in which Lawler would give Griffith free publicity in exchange for free wrestling training.<ref name=slambio/> Lawler debuted as a wrestler in 1970, and won his first championship in September 1971 by winning a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]].<ref name=slambio/> He soon won the [[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship|NWA Southern Tag Team Championship]] under the managerial service of [[Sam Bass (wrestler)|Sam Bass]] with partner [[Jim White (wrestler)|Jim White]].<ref name=slambio/> In 1974, Lawler began [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuding]] with [[Jackie Fargo]], who had been his trainer and mentor. This led to a match for the [[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship|NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship]]. On July 24, 1974, Lawler won the belt and the title of "King of Wrestling."<ref name=slambio/><ref name=gbu>{{cite book|last=Sugar|first=Bert Randolph|author2=George Napolitano |title=The Pictorial History of Wrestling: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly|pages=46|isbn=0-8317-3912-6|year=1984|publisher=Gallery Books|___location=New York, N.Y.|author2-link=George Napolitano}}</ref>
During 1975, Lawler teamed with a variety of partners such as Mr Wrestling II, Don Greene, and [[Bob Orton, Jr]]. He won the [[NWA Macon Tag Team Championship]] twice during this period. While Lawler began his career as a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]], he became a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] after splitting from Bass at the end of 1974.<ref name=slambio/>
===Continental Wrestling Association (1977–1989)===
[[File:Kevin Sullivan and Jerry Lawler, 1981.png|thumb|336x336px|Lawler being worked on in a match against [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]] in 1981]]
In 1977, promoter [[Jerry Jarrett]] broke away from Nick Gulas' [[NWA Mid-America]] promotion and formed his own promotion, the [[Continental Wrestling Association]]. Lawler—Gulas' biggest star—opted to join Jarrett. The CWA quickly outperformed NWA Mid-America, which ultimately folded in 1981. Lawler was both a co-owner of the CWA and its top star.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
On November 12, 1979, while working in the CWA, Lawler defeated [[Superstar Billy Graham]] to become the [[CWA World Heavyweight Championship (Memphis)|CWA World Champion]].<ref name=slambio/> In 1980, coming off the back end of a feud with [[The Fabulous Freebirds]], his career was put on hold due to a broken leg suffered in a game of touch football, but he returned to the ring after several months.<ref name=slambio/><ref name=03181991WON>{{cite web|url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/march-18-1991-wrestling-observer-newsletter-tokyo-dome-preview-plus|title=March 18, 1991 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Tokyo Dome preview, plus news|author=Observer Staff|publisher=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|website=F4WOnline.com|date=March 18, 1991|access-date=June 14, 2020}} {{subscription required}}</ref>
In 1982, Lawler began a notorious feud with comedian [[Andy Kaufman]].<ref name=slambio/> At the time, Kaufman wrestled women as part of his skits and had declared himself the Intergender Heavyweight Champion.<ref name=slambio/> On April 5, Lawler, who had taken exception to the skits, wrestled Kaufman in Memphis.<ref name=slambio/> During the course of the match, Lawler delivered two [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)|piledrivers]] to Kaufman, the second after the bell rang, sending him to the hospital and nearly breaking his neck.<ref name=slambio/> On July 29, Lawler slapped Kaufman in the face on an episode of ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]]''.<ref name=slambio/><ref name=mayor/> Kaufman responded by shouting profanities and throwing his coffee at Lawler.<ref name=slambio/>
Years later, Lawler appeared as himself in the Kaufman [[biographical film|biopic]] ''[[Man on the Moon (film)|Man on the Moon]]''; the film revealed that Lawler's feud with Kaufman had been staged. Lawler later claimed that not only was his entire feud with Kaufman staged, but also the two were actually very good friends.<ref name=brokenskulls>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nWYLpVXhx8|title=Jerry Lawler on Jim Carrey's hostile reception: Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions|author=WWE|publisher=WWE|website=youtube.com|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2022}}</ref>
In 1988, Lawler feuded with [[Dutch Mantel]].
In 1989, the CWA merged with [[World Class Championship Wrestling]] to form the [[United States Wrestling Association]].
===American Wrestling Association (1982–1985, 1987–1988)===
On March 7, 1983, Lawler won the [[AWA International Heavyweight Championship|AWA International Championship]] by defeating [[Austin Idol]].<ref name=slambio/> On May 30, 1983, Bill Dundee defeated Jerry Lawler for the [[AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship]]. The feud quickly escalated and on June 6, 1983, the two met in a Leaves Town Match for the title, in which Lawler won. Lawler defeated [[Ken Patera]] on July 25 to begin his second reign as the International Champion.<ref name=slambio/> Lawler became the [[NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship|NWA Mid America Champion]] on April 12, 1984, when he defeated [[Randy Savage]] for the title.<ref name=slambio/> He later returned to the [[United States]], where he defeated [[Bill Dundee]] on July 29, 1986, to begin a new reign as the AWA International Champion.<ref name=slambio/> Lawler feuded with [[Tommy Rich]], Austin Idol, and [[Paul Heyman|Paul E. Dangerously]] throughout early 1987.<ref name=slambio/> The animosity began after controversy over an AWA World Championship title shot involving [[Nick Bockwinkel]].<ref name=slambio/> During the feud, the trio defeated Lawler in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]] and cut his hair, which caused a riot in the [[Mid-South Coliseum]].<ref name=slambio/>
Lawler won the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]] from [[Curt Hennig]] on May 9, 1988.<ref name=slambio/> During his reign, Lawler feuded with [[World Class Championship Wrestling]]'s Champion [[Kerry Von Erich]].<ref name=slambio/> He defeated Von Erich on December 15, 1988, at [[SuperClash#SuperClash III|Superclash III]] to unify the two titles.<ref name=slambio/> Soon after, Lawler's issues with [[Verne Gagne]] led to his departure from the AWA, most notably Lawler claiming that he was never paid for the match at Superclash.<ref name=slambio/>
===World Class Championship Wrestling (1988–1989)===
Lawler continued feuding with [[Kerry Von Erich]] in WCCW. He lost to Von Erich in a steel cage match on November 25, 1988. He would defeat Von Erich by disqualification to retain the WCCW heavyweight title. He wrestled [[Mil Mascaras]] to a draw on July 28.
===Other promotions (1981–1989)===
In 1981, Lawler wrestled for [[Championship Wrestling From Florida]] feuding with [[Dory Funk Jr.]] and [[Terry Funk]]. In 1985, Lawler traveled to [[Hawaii]], where he won the NWA Polynesian Pacific title on January 25, 1986, defeating [[Lars Anderson (wrestler)|Lars Anderson]].<ref name=slambio/> He dropped the title to Tui Selinga on March 26 in Honolulu, Hawaii.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In March 1989, he wrestled for [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]. He lost to IWGP Heavyweight Champion [[Tatsumi Fujinami]] on March 16, 1989.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
===United States Wrestling Association (1989–1997)===
In 1989, Lawler made his debut in the Memphis brand [[United States Wrestling Association]], where he won the [[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship]] 28 times from 1989 until its doors closed in 1997. While champion, he feuded with [[The Godfather (wrestler)|The Soultaker]], [[Jimmy Valiant]], [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]], [[Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)|Eddie Gilbert]], and [[Jeff Jarrett]].
In 1992, Lawler teamed with [[Jeff Jarrett]] in a feud against [[The Moondogs (professional wrestling)|The Moondogs]].<ref name=slambio/> The feud between Jarrett/Lawler and The Moondogs was voted the 1992 [[PWI Feud of the Year]] by ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''. He won the [[USWA World Tag Team Championship]] with Jarrett four times and twice with [[Bill Dundee]].
Lawler dropped the USWA Unified World Heavyweight for the last time to [[Dutch Mantel]] on August 8, 1997, in an All Body Hair match. The promotion closed in November 1997.
===World Wrestling Federation (1992–2001)===
====Feuds with Bret Hart and Doink the Clown (1992–1995)====
Lawler began his WWF career in December 1992 as an announcer on ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars]]'', while still working in USWA.<ref name=slambio/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/superstars.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212020541/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/superstars.htm|url-status=dead|title=WWF Superstars results|archive-date=December 12, 2007|access-date=December 19, 2019}}</ref> He made his in-ring debut at the [[Royal Rumble (1993)|1993 Royal Rumble]] when he participated in the namesake match, which was won by [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]]. From 1993 to 1995, he feuded with [[Bret Hart]] and the rest of the [[Hart wrestling family|Hart family]]. The feud began at [[King of the Ring (1993)|King of the Ring]] when Lawler interrupted Hart's victory ceremony and attacked Bret.<ref name=slambio/><ref name=wwereign>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/special/lawlerlookback|title=King Lawler: His kingly moments|last=Clayton|first=Corey|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=December 14, 2008}}</ref>
Lawler claimed that he was the only true king in the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF), and the two were scheduled to wrestle at [[SummerSlam (1993)|SummerSlam]] to settle the dispute. At the event, however, Lawler came to the ring on crutches and claimed that he could not wrestle because of injuries suffered in a car accident.<ref name=owwslam93>{{cite web|title=WWE PPV Wrestling Results: SummerSlam 1993 |work=Online World of Wrestling |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/summerslam93.html |access-date=October 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030175346/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/summerslam93.html |archive-date=October 30, 2007 }}</ref> Hart faced Lawler's "court jester", [[Doink the Clown]] instead, and beat him by [[Professional wrestling#Submission|submission]]. Lawler then attacked Hart, revealing that he was not injured.<ref name=owwslam93/> Hart defeated Lawler by submission but refused to release the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]]. As a result, the referee reversed the decision and awarded the title of "Undisputed King of the World Wrestling Federation" to Lawler.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Wrestling Federation 1993|work=Softwolves|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/1993|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref> The two would continue to work throughout the fall on the house show circuit, including in steel cages.
Simultaneously, in a form of cross-promotion, Lawler engaged in a bitter feud with [[Vince McMahon]] (who at the time was never advertised as the actual owner of the World Wrestling Federation) back in the USWA. There, Lawler played the babyface to his hometown Memphis audience, whereas McMahon (who had always played face in the WWF) was being portrayed as a smug heel intent on dethroning Lawler as the king of professional wrestling. As part of the cross-promotion, McMahon, Bret and [[Owen Hart]], [[Jorge González (wrestler)|Giant González]], [[Tatanka (wrestler)|Tatanka]], and [[Randy Savage|"Macho Man" Randy Savage]] would begin appearing on USWA television to further the feud. While the program continued in the USWA, the feud between Lawler and McMahon would not be acknowledged on WWF television.
The Hart family ([[Bret Hart|Bret]], [[Owen Hart|Owen]], [[Bruce Hart (wrestler)|Bruce]], and [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith]]) was scheduled to face a team captained by Lawler in an [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Elimination tag team matches|elimination]] match at [[Survivor Series (1993)|Survivor Series]]. However, [[Shawn Michaels]] had to take Lawler's place because Lawler was facing legal troubles.<ref name=slambio/><ref>{{cite web|title=World Wrestling Entertainment Substitutions|work=Softwolves|url= http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/substitutions|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref> He was indicted for raping and sodomizing a 15-year-old girl, though charges were dropped when the alleged victim recanted her story.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zarka |first1=J. P. |title=WWE Controversy - The Seldom Talked about 1993 Jerry Lawler Scandal |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/jerry-lawler-wwe-controversy/ |website=ProWrestlingStories.com |access-date=August 21, 2020 |date=July 27, 2016}}</ref>
As a result, the feud between Lawler and Vince McMahon back in the USWA was also abruptly discontinued. Lawler did not face Bret Hart at another [[pay-per-view]] until the first [[In Your House 1|In Your House]], when he beat Hart after [[Jinsei Shinzaki|Hakushi]] and his [[manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] [[Akio Sato (wrestler)|Shinja]] interfered.<ref>{{cite web|last=Keith|first=Scott|title=WWF In Your House #1|work=Online Onslaught|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/columns/skrants/20030303.shtml|access-date=October 7, 2007|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208200335/http://www.oowrestling.com/columns/skrants/20030303.shtml|archive-date=December 8, 2011}}</ref> This set up a "Kiss My Foot" match at [[King of the Ring (1995)|King of the Ring 1995]], which Bret won.<ref name=wwereign/> As a result, Lawler was forced to kiss Bret's feet. The feud took one final turn when Lawler introduced his "[[dentist]]" [[Kane (wrestler)|Isaac Yankem, D.D.S.]]. After Hart defeated Yankem by [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualification]],<ref>{{cite web|title=SummerSlam 1995|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1995/results/|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref> however, the feud quickly disappeared.
Following the end of his legal troubles which kept him out of Survivor Series 1993, Lawler eventually returned to the WWF at [[WrestleMania X]], which was also his first appearance as a commentator on a WWF pay-per-view. During the main event of the night, [[Roddy Piper|"Rowdy" Roddy Piper]] served as special guest referee for the second WWF World Heavyweight Championship match. During this Lawler began making disparaging remarks about him. Lawler would continue to berate Piper on later episodes of ''Monday Night Raw'', including bringing a skinny kid into the ring dressed as Piper and forcing him to kiss his feet. This ultimately led to a match between the two at [[King of the Ring (1994)|King of the Ring 1994]] which Lawler lost.
In the fall of 1994, Lawler initiated a feud with Doink the Clown. Lawler popped the balloons carried by Doink's [[midget professional wrestler|midget]] sidekick, [[Claude Giroux (wrestler)|Dink]].<ref name=doinks>{{cite web|last=Podsiadlik |first=Kevin |title=WWF RAW: November 21, 1994 |work=The Other Arena |url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1994/raw112194 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215125729/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1994%2Fraw112194 |archive-date=December 15, 2007 |access-date=October 7, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After Doink and Dink retaliated, Lawler introduced a midget sidekick of his own, who he named Queasy.<ref name=doinks/> In the following weeks, Doink added two more sidekicks, Wink and Pink, while Lawler introduced Sleazy and Cheesy.<ref name=doinks/> This led to an elimination match at [[Survivor Series (1994)|Survivor Series 1994]], which Lawler's team won.<ref>{{cite web|title=All-Time Survivor Series Results|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1494234|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref> After the match, however, Lawler's team turned on him, joining with Doink's team to attack Lawler.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWF Survivor Series 1994|work=Hoffco, Inc.|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/sur94.html|access-date=October 7, 2007|archive-date=May 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501063645/http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/sur94.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Smoky Mountain and various feuds (1994–1996)====
[[File:Jerry Lawler 2008.jpg|left|thumb|Lawler at a book signing in 2003]]
In late 1994 and early 1995, Lawler wrestled briefly in [[Smoky Mountain Wrestling]] (SMW) while still continuing to commentate sporadically for the WWF.<ref name=slambio/> During his absences, [[Shawn Michaels]] filled in for him as color commentator on ''Monday Night Raw''. He defeated [[Tony Anthony (wrestler)|Tony Anthony]] for the promotion's top title in January 1995.<ref name=slambio/> Lawler was the last [[SMW Heavyweight Championship|SMW Heavyweight Champion]] defeating [[Brad Armstrong (wrestler)|Brad Armstrong]] on Boxing Day 1995. The promotion closed its doors on December 30.
By 1996, Lawler wrestled occasionally on ''WWF Superstars'' where he would take on jobbers while holding a microphone in the ring to, essentially, "do the commentary on (his) very own matches" while occasionally serving as the official cornerman for Isaac Yankem D.D.S. After a brief feud with [[The Ultimate Warrior]], Lawler began feuding with [[Jake Roberts]] after making fun of Roberts' real life drug and alcohol problems.<ref name=slambio/> The two met in a match at [[SummerSlam (1996)|SummerSlam 1996]], which Lawler won. After the match, Lawler poured [[Jim Beam]] whiskey down Roberts' throat.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gutschmidt|first=Adam|title=WWF SummerSlam 1996|work=Online Onslaught|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/columns/ooldtyme/20050119.shtml|access-date=October 9, 2007|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208001224/http://www.oowrestling.com/columns/ooldtyme/20050119.shtml|archive-date=December 8, 2011}}</ref>
Afterwards, he feuded with [[Mark Henry]], which the two meet at [[In Your House 10: Mind Games]] which Henry won.
====Part-time wrestling and commentator (1997–1998)====
In early 1997, Lawler was involved in a working relationship between the WWF and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW). In June, Lawler entered the King of the Ring tournament for the first time and advanced to the semi-final round where he was defeated by [[Mick Foley|Mankind]]. By the fall, the WWF introduced a new "light-heavyweight division" to compete with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW)'s cruiserweight division. Lawler's son, [[Brian Christopher]], was one of the major superstars in the division, although the WWF played up an angle where both Lawler and Christopher would deny their family relationship, even though the two would aid each other in matches and so on. USWA folded in November of that year.
By 1998, Lawler rarely wrestled in the WWF and focused on commentary. Despite their feud in the USWA in 1993, by 1998, Vince McMahon had [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Turn|turned]] [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] in the WWF for the first time and left the announce position, to which Lawler began praising McMahon's name on commentary as part of his own heel persona, much to the chagrin of [[Jim Ross]]. It was McMahon's departure from the commentary team which led to the strong on-screen chemistry between Lawler and Ross in subsequent years. This played a key role in a change of Lawler's character; although he still supported the heels, he showed a sense of right and wrong, and would condemn actions of heels when they went too far.
====Sporadic appearances, feud with Tazz, and departure (1999–2001)====
Lawler during this period would continue commentating and rarely wrestled for the WWF. He wrestled between 1999 and 2001 mainly in house shows. On June 22, 2000, he made an appearance on ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' teaming with [[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] to defeat [[Dean Malenko]] and [[Terri Runnels]]. This would be the first time in two years he wrestled on WWF television. A week later, he defeated Malenko on ''Raw.''
He would turn face by 2000 (while wrestling). This began when Lawler surprisingly attacked [[Tazz]] when Tazz started bullying Jim Ross, thus beginning a feud with Tazz. At [[SummerSlam (2000)|SummerSlam]] on August 27, Lawler wrestled Tazz in defense of Ross, and defeated him.<ref name=slambio/> At [[Unforgiven (2000)|Unforgiven]] on September 24, he lost to Tazz in a Leather Strap match. Also, Lawler feuded with Tazz's partner [[Raven (wrestler)|Raven]] until January 2001.
With the creation of the [[XFL (2001)|XFL]] in 2001, Lawler was given the job as an announcer for the new football league.<ref name=court/> Lawler claims that he never wanted to announce for the XFL (he would admit on-air that he knew and cared almost nothing about the sport), but that he agreed to it after McMahon and Kevin Dunn asked him.<ref name=court/>
In February 2001, Lawler's then-wife [[Stacy Carter|Stacy "the Kat" Carter]] was involved in a storyline where [[Right to Censor]] (RTC), a group of wrestlers purportedly wanting to rein in the vulgarity of the "Attitude Era," during which she demanded equal time for the "right for nudity". RTC's leader [[Stevie Richards|Steven Richards]] offered a match with Lawler at [[No Way Out (2001)|No Way Out]] on February 25. If Lawler won, Kat got naked and if Richards won, Kat became RTC property. Richards won the match at No Way Out. The next night, Lawler teamed with the [[Acolytes Protection Agency|APA]] ([[John Layfield|Bradshaw]] and [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]]) as they defeated Right to Censor members [[Bull Buchanan]], [[The Godfather (wrestler)|The Goodfather]] and [[Val Venis]] on ''Raw is War''. This would be Lawler's last WWF match.
After No Way Out, [[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] was released by the WWF and Lawler quit the company in protest.<ref name=court>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_2_3/ai_76726499|title=The King Holds Court: Interview|author=Bill Apter|publisher=Wrestling Digest|access-date=October 9, 2007|date=August 2001 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20071012160608/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_2_3/ai_76726499 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosL/lawler_01feb28-can.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718085327/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosL/lawler_01feb28-can.html |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |title=WWF releases The Kat, loses Lawler|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=October 9, 2007|date=February 28, 2001}}</ref>
===Extreme Championship Wrestling (1997)===
In 1997, Lawler became heavily involved in the working relationship between the WWF and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW). In interviews and commentary, he referred to the promotion as "Extremely Crappy Wrestling".<ref name=slambio/> His frequent insults toward ECW eventually led to the promotion "invading" ''Monday Night Raw'' in February 1997. He wrestled in two matches. The first on July 19 at [[Heat Wave (1997)|Heat Wave 1997]] in a steel cage match with [[Rob Van Dam]] and [[Sabu (wrestler)|Sabu]] in a no contest against [[Rick Rude]], [[The Sandman (wrestler)|The Sandman]], and [[Tommy Dreamer]]. He wrestled against Dreamer at ECW's [[Hardcore Heaven#1997|Hardcore Heaven]] pay-per-view in August, which Dreamer won.<ref name="OWOWprof">{{cite web|title=Wrestler Profiles: Jerry Lawler|work=Online World of Wrestling|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/j/jerry-lawler.html|access-date=October 12, 2001}}</ref>
===Independent circuit (2001–2012)===
During his absence from the WWF, Lawler made appearances on the [[independent circuit]] in both Australia and the States,<ref name=slambio/><ref name=jl372/> as well as joining the fledgling [[Xcitement Wrestling Federation]] (XWF) promotion alongside [[WCW]] veteran [[Tony Schiavone]] as a color commentator.<ref name=slambio/> On October 26, 2001, he appeared on [[WWA Inception|WWA The Inception]] as a commentator alongside Jeremy Borash, as well as wrestling in a battle royal. He also made appearances with the International Wrestling Cartel and with [[Maryland Championship Wrestling]], where he held the promotion's world title after defeating The Bruiser on November 2. He would return to WWF after a nine-month absence.
On March 31, 2002, he reunited with his son, [[Brian Christopher|Brian]], to defeat [[David Flair]] and [[Jim Cornette]] at the Tojo Yamamoto Memorial Show.
On November 8, 2003, in a match refereed by [[Mick Foley]], Lawler defeated [[Al Snow]] for the [[JAPW Heavyweight Championship]] in [[Secaucus, New Jersey]]. He lost the title a month later to [[Dan Maff]].
Also made appearances in [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]], International Wrestling Cartel, and other promotions.
On November 11, 2005, he teamed with [[Brad Armstrong (wrestler)|Brad Armstrong]] and [[Jeff Hardy]] to defeat [[The Midnight Express (professional wrestling)|The Midnight Express]] and Jim Cornette for CCW A Tribute for Starrcade.
On November 7, 2008, a tribute show was held for Lawler called Lawler 35 - A Tribute Fit For The King. it was held in Nashville. In the main event match, he defeated [[Sid Vicious (wrestler)|Sid Vicious]].
On March 16, 2012, he defeated [[Tommy Dreamer]] at Wrestle War 2012.
=== Return to WWF/WWE (2001–2024) ===
====Commentator and part-time wrestler (2001–2012)====
[[File:JR and The King No Mercy 07.jpg|right|thumb|Lawler and Jim Ross calling the action for WWE]]
On November 19, 2001, after a nine-month hiatus from the company, Lawler returned to the WWF. He was reintroduced by [[Vince McMahon]] on ''Raw'' as the replacement for color commentator (and [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|Alliance]] member) [[Paul Heyman]], who had been (kayfabe) fired in the aftermath of the Alliance's loss at the previous night's [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]]. As he had been before his departure, Lawler once again became color commentator on ''Raw'' and pay-per-view events alongside [[Jim Ross]] and ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' with [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]], until [[WWE brand extension|the brands were separated]] and Lawler became exclusive to [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]. Lawler stated that his well-worked chemistry with Jim Ross has been a result of their different styles; according to Lawler, Jim Ross is a fine storyteller and keeps fans well-versed with current storylines, whereas he provides reaction and emotion to liven the commentary.<ref>it's good to be the king. Jerry Lawler pg. 372</ref>
In 2003, ''[[WWE Raw|Raw's]]'' announce team of Lawler and [[Jim Ross]] feuded with ''[[WWE Heat|Sunday Night Heat]]'''s team of [[Jonathan Coachman]] and [[Al Snow]].<ref name=slambio/> At [[Unforgiven (2003)|Unforgiven]], Lawler and Ross lost a match against Coachman and Snow, thus losing their right to do commentary on ''Raw''.<ref name=slambio/> In a rematch, however, Ross defeated Coachman, winning Lawler and Ross their position back.<ref name=slambio/>
In 2006, Lawler faced Tazz at [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|ECW One Night Stand]], which Tazz won in only 30 seconds by making Lawler pass out to the [[Professional wrestling holds#Half nelson choke|Tazzmission]].<ref name="ONS06">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/ecwons.htm|title=ECW One Night Stand – June 11, 2006|access-date=October 13, 2007|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014201920/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/ecwons.htm|archive-date=October 14, 2007}}</ref>
In July 2006, Randy Orton began a feud with [[Hulk Hogan]]. Lawler attacked Orton in defense of Hogan,<ref name="Raw Results July 24">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060724.html|title=Raw results – July 24, 2006|access-date=October 13, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> which set up a match between them on ''Raw''.<ref name="Raw Results July 31">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060731.html|title=Raw results – July 31, 2006|access-date=October 13, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Orton defeated Lawler after a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|low blow]] and an [[Cutter (professional wrestling)#Jumping cutter|RKO]].<ref name="Raw results August 7">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060807.html|title=Raw results – August 7, 2006|access-date=October 13, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
On March 31, 2007, Lawler was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] by [[William Shatner]],<ref name=Encyclopedia>{{cite book|title=WWE Encyclopedia|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|page=[https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/150 150]|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley|DK]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0|url=https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/150}}</ref> whom Lawler had a memorable altercation with on a January 1995 episode of ''Raw''. In August, [[Booker T (wrestler)|King Booker]] claimed to be the only one entitled to be known as "King".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070716.html|title=RAW results – July 16, 2007|access-date=October 9, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> After being beaten by Booker in the ring,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070806.html|title=RAW results – August 6, 2007|access-date=October 9, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Lawler was supposed to be forced to crown his opponent at a show of August 13 in [[Madison Square Garden]].<ref name="RAW-08-2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070813.html|title=RAW results – August 13, 2007|access-date=October 9, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> During the ceremony, however, Lawler announced another king as a new opponent for King Booker, "The King of Kings" [[Triple H]]. This led to a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Work (noun)|worked]] brawl between Lawler and King Booker.<ref name="RAW-08-2007"/>
On the July 7, 2008, episode of ''Raw,'' Lawler was attacked by Kane after saving [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] from a similar attack, in which Kane repeatedly asked "Is he alive or is he dead?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07072008/articles/7600820|access-date=July 8, 2008|last=Adkins|first=Greg|title=Fouron the Floor|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Later that summer, he teamed with "Hacksaw" [[Jim Duggan]] to face [[Ted DiBiase, Jr.|Ted DiBiase]] [[The Legacy (professional wrestling)|and]] [[Cody Rhodes]] for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]] but lost.
On the March 23, 2009, episode of ''Raw,'' Lawler challenged [[Chris Jericho]] to a match because of his disrespectful and erratic behavior to WWE Hall of Famers, which Jericho accepted. The following week, Lawler lost to Jericho after submitting to the Walls of Jericho. After the match, Jericho outlined how he would remain supreme against WWE Hall of Famers at [[WrestleMania 25]].
On the July 20 episode of ''Raw,'' Lawler announced himself as the opponent against The [[Brian Kendrick]]. He went on to defeat Kendrick. On the November 16 episode of ''Raw,'' after recent acquisition [[Sheamus]] attacked the timekeeper in frustration for not receiving an opponent, Lawler left the announce table to confront Sheamus and check on the victim, only to receive a kick to the head for his troubles. On June 7, 2010, during a Viewer's Choice edition of ''Raw,'' Lawler lost his crown to [[Mike Rotunda|IRS]] because he had apparently not paid his taxes, but it was regained by [[Quinton Jackson]] later on. At the end of the night, Lawler was one of the many employees at ringside that were brutally attacked by the season 1 [[WWE NXT (TV series)|NXT]] rookies. Lawler, however, was the only person at ringside that fought back, as he used punches and chops to attack the NXT rookies assaulting him until it was a 3-on-1 assault. The following week on Raw, Lawler and the Raw roster fought off the now-called "The Nexus" when they attempted to ambush [[John Cena]] a second time. On June 28, Lawler, Ricky Steamboat, [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]], [[Arn Anderson]], [[Mike Rotunda]] and [[Dean Malenko]] were severely attacked by the Nexus, just as they were celebrating Steamboat's career. Josh Mathews replaced Lawler on color commentator for the remainder of the show.
On the July 26 episode of ''Raw,'' Lawler teamed with [[Mark Henry]], [[Goldust]], [[Yoshi Tatsu]], [[Evan Bourne]] and [[The Hart Dynasty]] in a tag team elimination match versus [[the Nexus (professional wrestling)|the Nexus]]. Lawler was eliminated by [[Heath Slater]].
On the November 29 [[King of the Ring]] ''Raw'' special, Lawler (who was celebrating his 61st birthday) challenged [[The Miz]] to a [[WWE Championship]] match. It was granted by the [[Anonymous Raw General Manager]], who made it a [[Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match]] and it was Lawler's first shot at the title. The Miz retained the championship after interference by Cole and [[Alex Riley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/29/16367731.html|title=RAW: King of the Ring crowned|publisher=SLAM! Sports|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=November 29, 2010|date=November 29, 2010|archive-date=June 30, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630092759/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/29/16367731.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Cole's interference caused tension between the two, but when Lawler threatened to attack Cole, the Anonymous Raw General Manager issued a "cease and desist" order, which barred any physicality between them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/12/07/16454056.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630183145/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/12/07/16454056.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=RAW: Cena pushes Nexus, Barrett to the breaking point|publisher=SLAM! Sports|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 6, 2010|date=December 6, 2010}}</ref>
[[File:El Rey en WM.jpg|thumb|left|Lawler making his way to the ring at [[WrestleMania XXVII]]]]
Lawler continued to challenge with The Miz, where on the December 20 ''Raw,'' Lawler teamed with [[Randy Orton]] and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]] to take on The Miz, Riley and [[Sheamus]] in a 6-man tag match which Lawler won by pinning The Miz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/12/21/16627431.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630145449/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/12/21/16627431.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=RAW: No Nexus, no problem|publisher=SLAM! Sports|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 20, 2010|date=December 20, 2010}}</ref> This led to a rematch between The Miz and Lawler the following week, with Lawler once again getting the victory, this time by count-out after Morrison got involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/12/27/16686236.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630183233/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/12/27/16686236.html |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |title=RAW: Cena gets Punked|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 27, 2010|date=December 27, 2010}}</ref> Lawler teamed with Orton again on the January 10, 2011 ''Raw'', facing The Miz and Riley, which Lawler won by pinning Riley.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/01/10/16837026.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715191847/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/01/10/16837026.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=RAW: CM Punk thins out the ranks|publisher=SLAM! Sports|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=January 10, 2011|date=January 10, 2011}}</ref> Lawler won a 7-man [[Royal Rumble#Match|Raw Rumble]] match on the January 31 ''Raw'' with help from [[John Cena]] to earn a WWE Championship match against The Miz at [[Elimination Chamber (2011)|Elimination Chamber]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/01/31/17106691.html|title=RAW: Jerry Lawler on the road to Wrestlemania|publisher=SLAM! Sports|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=January 31, 2011|date=January 31, 2011|archive-date=June 30, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630092752/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/01/31/17106691.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> where he was unsuccessful in winning the title, ending the feud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2011/02/20/17350351.html|title=Elimination Chamber mostly eliminates dramatic intrigue|date=February 20, 2011|last=Hillhouse|first=Dave|access-date=April 3, 2011|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 16, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716015358/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2011/02/20/17350351.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
The following night on ''Raw,'' Lawler, after having enough of Cole's attitude, which included the mocking of Lawler's mother's recent death, challenged him to a match at [[WrestleMania XXVII]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/02/22/17360261.html|title=RAW: Triple H crashes Undertaker's return|publisher=SLAM! Sports|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=February 21, 2011|date=February 21, 2011|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715080915/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/02/22/17360261.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> which Cole accepted on the February 28 ''Raw'' and announced that he would be trained in the coming weeks by [[Jack Swagger]] for the upcoming match. [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] was announced as the guest referee for the match the following week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03072011/mainarticle|title=Shows|website=WWE.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref> On the March 14 ''Raw,'' Lawler was confronted by his son, [[Brian Lawler]], who was invited to Raw to "expose" his father's character. Brian ranted about various problems he had with his father before slapping him and leaving. Cole continued to harass Lawler after Brian left, but was interrupted by a returning [[Jim Ross]]. Before Ross could attack Cole, Swagger attacked Lawler from behind and then proceeded to attack and lock in the [[professional wrestling holds#Ankle lock|ankle lock]] on Ross, while Cole harassed him. Lawler tried to stop the attack, but fell victim to the ankle lock as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/17193200/|title=Shows|website=WWE.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
At WrestleMania, Lawler initially won by submission, but the Anonymous Raw General Manager reversed the decision due to Stone Cold physically getting involved in the match by pushing Cole, making Cole the winner by [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualification]]. Lawler and Ross then faced Cole and Swagger at [[Extreme Rules (2011)|Extreme Rules]] in a Country Whipping match, where they were defeated. Lawler challenged Cole to one last match at [[Over the Limit (2011)|Over the Limit]], even going as far as to putting his [[WWE Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame ring]] on the line and offered to personally induct Cole into the Hall of Fame itself. During the contract signing, Cole announced it would be a "Kiss My Foot" match. At the pay-per-view, Lawler defeated Cole. Afterwards, Ross, [[Eve Torres]] and [[Bret Hart]] helped Lawler by making Cole kiss his foot. Following the pay-per-view, Cole apologized to Lawler, ending the feud.
[[File:Jerry Lawler the king.jpg|thumb|After his heart attack, Lawler returned to commentating.]]
Lawler competed in the [[Royal Rumble (2012)|2012 Royal Rumble]] match as the number 12 entrant, but was eliminated by [[Cody Rhodes]] after 43 seconds. He, along with [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]], eliminated Cole afterwards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2012/royal-rumble-match|title=Royal Rumble main event |author=Ryan Murphy |date=January 29, 2012 |publisher=WWE |access-date=May 1, 2012}}</ref> On the April 30, 2012, episode of ''Raw,'' Lawler competed in a ''Beat the Clock'' challenge to determine the number one contender for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|WWE Championship]] match at [[Over the Limit (2012)|Over the Limit]], but was defeated by [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]], who went on to challenge for the title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-04-30/wwe-raw-supershow-results/page-9|title=Raw results |author=Tom Herrera |date=April 30, 2012 |publisher=WWE |access-date=May 1, 2012}}</ref> On the July 9 episode of ''Raw,'' Lawler went against Cole in a [[WrestleMania XXVII]] rematch, which he quickly won, but the anonymous ''Raw'' General Manager, who returned that night as the guest general manager, reversed the decision and Lawler lost to Cole by disqualification following interference by Booker T. [[Santino Marella]] came out to reveal that [[Hornswoggle]] was the Anonymous ''Raw'' General Manager, who was hiding underneath the ring.
On the July 23 episode of ''[[WWE Raw 1000]],'' after [[CM Punk]] attacked [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]], Lawler would mention on commentary that "CM Punk has turned his back on the WWE Universe." The following week on ''Raw,'' Punk would confront Lawler about what he said before being interrupted by [[Big Show]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-07-30/wwe-raw-results-26041396|title=Raw results |author=Tom Herrera |date=July 30, 2012 |publisher=WWE |access-date=July 30, 2012}}</ref> On the August 20 episode of ''Raw,'' after Cena wouldn't tell Punk he was the "Best in the World," Punk would ask for Lawler to get in the ring and say it for the WWE Universe. After Lawler refused to say Punk was the "Best in the World" too, Punk would attack Lawler from behind.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-08-20/live-raw-results-26046816/page-10|title=WWE Champion CM Punk confronts Jerry "The King" Lawler and John Cena |author=Kevin Powers |date=August 20, 2012 |publisher=WWE |access-date=August 20, 2012}}</ref> The next week on ''Raw,'' after Lawler demanded an apology from Punk, Punk would challenge Lawler to a match, which Lawler would accept later that night, where Punk would defeat Lawler in a [[Steel Cage match#Cages|Steel Cage match]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-08-27/results-26048120|title=Raw results: CM Punk battered Jerry Lawler in a Steel Cage Match |author=Mitch Passero |date=August 27, 2012 |publisher=WWE |access-date=August 27, 2012}}</ref> Before the September 3 episode of ''Raw'', Punk and Lawler brawled backstage, with Punk getting the upper hand before officials stopped them, Lawler was kicked in the throat, which caused Lawler to miss commentary that night, with [[The Miz]] filling in for him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-09-03/wwe-raw-results-26049530|title=WWE Champion CM Punk attacked Jerry Lawler, interrupted Sheamus' address of the WWE Universe |author=Anthony Benigno |date=September 3, 2012 |publisher=WWE |access-date=September 3, 2012}}</ref>
====Heart attack incident====
On September 10, 2012, during ''Raw'' at the [[Bell Centre]] in [[Montreal, Quebec]], not long after defeating Punk and [[Dolph Ziggler]] in a tag-team match with [[Randy Orton]], Lawler [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#L|legitimately]] collapsed at the announcers table while [[Team Hell No|Kane and Daniel Bryan]] competed against [[The Prime Time Players|Titus O'Neil and Darren Young]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-09-10/jerry-lawler-collapses-at-announce-table|title=Jerry 'The King' Lawler released from medical facility and home in Memphis|website=WWE.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WWE.com: Jerry "The King" Lawler collapses ringside at Raw in Montreal|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-09-10/jerry-lawler-collapses-at-announce-table-26051089|access-date=September 11, 2012}}</ref> Cole continued to call that match alone, as well as the next match, before WWE (through Cole) announced the medical situation with Lawler. The remaining matches on the show went ahead as scheduled but without commentary and updates on Lawler's condition were provided by Cole. At the end of the broadcast, it was announced that he had received [[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation|CPR]], but was breathing independently and reacting to stimulation. Doctors said that Lawler was clinically dead for almost 30 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Caldwell|first1=James|title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 9/10: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Hart back in Montreal, final PPV hype|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_65047.shtml|website=PWTorch.com|access-date=December 21, 2015}}</ref> It was later confirmed on WWE.com that Lawler had suffered a heart attack.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jerry "The King" Lawler collapses ringside at Raw in Montreal|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-09-10/jerry-lawler-collapses-at-announce-table-26051089|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 11, 2012}}</ref> On September 11, he underwent an [[percutaneous coronary intervention|angioplasty]] to improve blood flow to his heart.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-jerry-lawler-wwe-20120911,0,1916619.story |title=Jerry Lawler has angioplasty, in critical but stable condition|first= Houston|last= Mitchell|work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date= September 11, 2012|___location=[[Los Angeles]] |issn=0458-3035 |access-date=September 11, 2012}}</ref> On September 12, Lawler was reported to be slowly being eased off sedation, his ventilator removed. He was able to blink, nod, and squeeze with his hands,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-jerry-lawler-20120912,0,6199594.story |title=Jerry Lawler showing signs of improvement after heart attack |first= Houston|last= Mitchell|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date= September 12, 2012|___location=Los Angeles|issn=0458-3035 |access-date=September 12, 2012}}</ref> and that same day, the results of several CT scans showed no signs of brain damage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wmctv.com/story/19521437/ct-scan-results-for-jerry-lawler-revealed|title=CT Scan results for Jerry Lawler revealed|date=September 12, 2012|publisher=WMCTV.com|___location=[[Memphis, Tennessee]]|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-date=September 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922095325/http://www.wmctv.com/story/19521437/ct-scan-results-for-jerry-lawler-revealed|url-status=dead}}</ref> By September 17, Lawler had returned to his home in Memphis.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/videos/jerry-lawler-returns-home-to-memphis-raw-sept-17-2012-26052854 "Jerry Lawler returns home to Memphis"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919233311/http://www.wwe.com/videos/jerry-lawler-returns-home-to-memphis-raw-sept-17-2012-26052854 |date=September 19, 2012 }}. WWE.com. September 17, 2012</ref> During Lawler's hospital stay, it was determined that his heart attack was not caused by a blocked artery, but was instead an unexplained cardiac arrest. Lawler was soon medically cleared to continue wrestling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9755987/jerry-king-lawler-memphis-wrestling-alive-drop-kicking |title= Life and Death in Sugar Ditch Alley |author=The Masked Man (David Shoemaker) |publisher=[[Bill Simmons#Grantland|Grantland.com]] |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=December 19, 2013}}</ref>
[[File:JBL, Cole, King.jpg|thumb|Lawler (right) commentating on ''Raw'' with [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (left) and [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] (center) in January 2014]]
It was announced on October 29 that Lawler would return to WWE on the November 12 episode of ''Raw.'' He continued his rivalry with Punk after his return was interrupted by Punk and [[Paul Heyman]], who re-enacted his heart attack. Lawler continued to favor Punk's opponents, hoping that Punk would lose the [[WWE Championship]], which he eventually did to [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] at the [[Royal Rumble (2013)|Royal Rumble]] much to Lawler's delight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/jerry-the-king-lawler-returns-to-raw-raw-nov-12-2012-26068223 |title=WWE Videos: Raw Highlights, SmackDown Highlights and Classic Clips |website=WWE.com |access-date=May 6, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102214/http://www.wwe.com/videos/jerry-the-king-lawler-returns-to-raw-raw-nov-12-2012-26068223 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref>
====SmackDown (2015–2016)====
On January 8, 2015, it was announced on WWE.com that Lawler would be a part of the ''SmackDown'' broadcast team as a color commentator along with Cole and [[Byron Saxton]] starting January 15, ending his 19-year run as a color commentator of ''Raw'' as he was replaced by [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/wwe/news/12040/9637902/wwe-booker-t-has-joined-the-announce-team-for-raw-as-part-of-a-commentary-shake-up |title=WWE: Booker T has joined the announce team for Raw as part of a commentary shake-up |date= January 9, 2015|publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |access-date=January 10, 2015}}</ref>
On the March 30 episode of ''Raw,'' however, Lawler made a one-night return to commentary with Saxton to fill in for Cole, Booker T and [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL) after they were assaulted by [[Brock Lesnar]] after Lesnar was refused his rematch against [[Seth Rollins]]. On June 17, 2016, Lawler was suspended following his arrest for domestic violence, with WWE stating they have "zero tolerance for matters involving domestic violence, and per our policy, Jerry Lawler was suspended indefinitely following his arrest", until July 1, when the charges were dropped and WWE lifted Lawler's suspension.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wwe.com/article/jerry-lawler-suspended-arrested |title=Jerry Lawler arrested, suspended |date= June 17, 2016|publisher=WWE.com |access-date=June 17, 2016}}</ref>
On July 7, 2016, Lawler returned to ''SmackDown'' resuming his commentary role. However, shortly afterwards, Lawler was taken off air and placed on the pre-show of both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' as an analyst.
====Sporadic appearances (2016–2019)====
On December 5, 2016, it was announced that Lawler would no longer be used on pre-shows and instead be kept for special events such as the Hall of Fame ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/update-on-jerry-lawlers-wwe-status-2/|publisher=411MANIA |title=Update on Jerry Lawler's WWE Status|author=Larry Csonka|date=December 5, 2016|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
On January 17, 2017, Lawler returned to ''SmackDown Live'' to host the return of The King's Court from his hometown of [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. During his interview with Dolph Ziggler, Ziggler took credit for Lawler's [[real life]] heart attack in September 2012 before and kicking him in the chest and leaving the ring. Later that night on ''Talking Smack,'' [[Renee Young]] announced that Lawler, Cole and [[Corey Graves]] will be the commentary team for the Royal Rumble match at the [[Royal Rumble (2017)|2017 Royal Rumble]]. On August 28, Lawler filled in for Booker T on ''Raw'' commentary from his hometown of Memphis. Lawler, Ross and numerous other WWE Legends appeared on [[WWE Raw 25 Years|Raw 25]] on January 22, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-25-list-of-legends-scheduled-to-appear-continues-to-grow/|title=WWE Raw 25: List of legends scheduled to appear continues to grow|first=Brian|last=Campbell|work=[[CBS Sports]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|___location=[[New York City]]|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/01/wwe-raw-25-jim-ross-jerry-lawler-triple-h-interview|title=Triple H explains what made Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler a legendary team|first=Nick|last=Schwartz|work=[[USA Today]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|___location=[[McLean, Virginia]]|date=January 12, 2018|access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> On January 26, it was revealed that Lawler signed a new one-year deal with WWE. At the [[Royal Rumble (2018)|2018 Royal Rumble]], during the men's match, Lawler was the special guest commentator where he correctly predicted that [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] would win.
On March 21, 2018, Lawler suffered a stroke at his home in Memphis. He explained the incident on his podcast,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2769973-wwe-hall-of-famer-jerry-lawler-reveals-he-suffered-stroke-before-wrestlemania|title=WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler Reveals He Suffered Stroke Before WrestleMania|first=Joseph|last=Zucker|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=December 19, 2019}}</ref> which he revealed he couldn't speak for three days. He stayed in the hospital's ICU until he woke up three days later and regained his speech. The doctors said Lawler would make a full recovery. He was able to make all of his appearances during WrestleMania 34 weekend in New Orleans and was cleared to wrestle.
On April 8, 2018, at [[WrestleMania 34]], Lawler called the fifth annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the WrestleMania 34 pre-show, alongside Ross and Saxton.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/04/08/andre-giant-memorial-battle-royal-wrestlemana-jim-ross-jerry-lawler|title=Ross, Lawler return to WrestleMania|first=Justin|last=Barrasso|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref>
On April 27, 2018, Lawler served as part of the pre-show panel at the first WWE pay per view in Saudi Arabia called the [[Greatest Royal Rumble]] alongside Ross.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prowrestling.com/jerry-lawler-and-jim-ross-at-greatest-royal-rumble/|title=Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross At Greatest Royal Rumble|date=April 27, 2018|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311043754/https://www.prowrestling.com/jerry-lawler-and-jim-ross-at-greatest-royal-rumble/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On the special ''SmackDown Live'' 1000th episode on October 16, 2018, Lawler returned as a guest commentator alongside Booker T to provide commentary for the [[The New Day (professional wrestling)|New Day]]–[[The Bar (professional wrestling)|The Bar]] match for the [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship|SmackDown Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2018/10/21/booker-t-explains-jerry-lawler-smackdown-1000-commentary-botch/|title=Booker T Explains Jerry Lawler SmackDown 1000 Commentary Botch|date=October 21, 2018|access-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref>
Lawler returned as a guest commentator on the July 22, 2019, special episode of ''Raw'' called the Raw Reunion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usanetwork.com/wwe/episode-guide/season-27-episode-30-wwe-raw-recap-july-22-2019|title=WWE Raw Recap: July 22, 2019 | Episode Guide|date=July 22, 2019|website=USA Network|access-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref>
On the July 30, 2019, edition of ''SmackDown Live,'' Lawler returned to host the Kings Court with [[Trish Stratus]] as his guest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://heelbynature.com/wrestling-news/jerry-lawler-to-host-special-the-kings-court-with-trish-stratus-this-tuesday-on-smackdown-live/|title=Jerry Lawler To Host Special 'The Kings Court' With Trish Stratus This Tuesday On Smackdown Live|first=Heel By|last=Nature|date=July 27, 2019|website=Wrestling News - Latest WWE, AEW, NJPW Pro Wrestling News | HeelByNature.com|access-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref>
Lawler returned on the August 19, 2019, edition of ''Raw'' to host the Kings Court and was attacked by [[Bray Wyatt|"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winnard |first=Liam |date=August 20, 2019 |title=The Fiend Attacks Jerry Lawler On WWE Raw |url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/the-fiend-attacks-jerry-lawler-on-wwe-raw/ |access-date=March 27, 2020 |website=WrestleTalk}}</ref>
====Return to full-time commentary (2019–2020)====
On September 26, 2019, WWE announced as a part of their "WWE Premiere Week" that a new commentary team will be on ''Raw.'' Lawler would return to full-time commentary on ''Raw,'' as an analyst alongside [[Vic Joseph]] and [[Dio Maddin]] beginning on the September 30, 2019, edition of ''Raw.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/article/wwe-premiere-week-features-unprecedented-eight-hours-of-primetime-coverage|title=WWE Premiere Week features unprecedented eight hours of primetime coverage|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019}}</ref> By January 2020, Lawler had outlasted both Joseph and Maddin, who were replaced by [[Tom Phillips (wrestling)|Tom Phillips]] and Byron Saxton, respectively. Lawler was replaced by [[Samoa Joe]] on the April 27, 2020, episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/with-samoa-joe-joining-wwe-raw-commentary-team-is-jerry-lawler-out/|title=With Samoa Joe Joining WWE Raw Commentary Team, Is Jerry Lawler Out?|publisher=www.bleedingcool.com|date=April 27, 2020|access-date=June 2, 2020}}</ref>
====Sporadic appearances (2023–present)====
Following his 2023 stroke recovery, Lawler appeared at ''Raw'' in Memphis, Tennessee on August 28, 2023, in a segment for the live audience, which was later uploaded to WWE's YouTube page as a digital exclusive.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=paMZaMf0MdM|title=Jerry Lawler makes an amazing return to Raw: Raw exclusive August 28, 2023|publisher=youtube.com/WWE|date=August 28, 2023|access-date=September 5, 2023}}</ref> On the November 28, 2023, episode of [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]], he chose the participants that will compete in the Iron Survivor Challenge at [[NXT Deadline (2023)|NXT Deadline]].
On May 6, 2024, it was reported that Lawler's broadcast contract with WWE expired at the beginning of 2024 and the company decided not to renew it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/183423/jerry-lawler-no-longer-with-wwe-company-did-not-offer-new-contract.html?p=1|title=JERRY LAWLER NO LONGER WITH WWE, COMPANY DID NOT OFFER NEW CONTRACT|publisher=pwinsider.com|date=May 6, 2024|access-date=May 6, 2024}}</ref> Lawler still remains under a Legends contract with WWE.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sescoops.com/wwe/jerry-lawler-reportedly-gone-from-wwe | title=Report: Jerry Lawler's WWE Contract Not Renewed, Still Under Legends Deal | date=May 6, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/jerry-lawler-still-under-wwe-legends-deal-clarification-on-contract-that-lapsed/ | title=Jerry Lawler Still Under WWE Legends Deal, Clarification on Contract That Lapsed | date=May 6, 2024 }}</ref>
===Memphis Wrestling (2003–2005, 2008–2009, 2014)===
[[File:Jerry Lawler at NEW show.jpg|thumb|Lawler in the ring at an independent show in 2007]]
In 2003, Lawler made his debut for [[Memphis Wrestling]]. He defeated his rival [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]] by disqualification on May 17. He would occasionally teamed up with [[Bill Dundee]] and [[Brian Christopher]]. He had a short feud with [[Viscera (wrestler)|King Mabel]]. On February 14, 2004, he lost to Brian Christopher in a Memphis Wrestling Television Title Vs. Jerry Lawler's Hummer match. On July 14, Brian and he won a tag team battle royal. Also, Lawler won a battle royal on [[Boxing Day]] 2004. He defeated [[Cassidy Reilly]] for the USACW United States Title on April 14, 2005.
On June 20, 2008, Lawler returned to Memphis to defeat Kevin White. He lost to [[Sid Vicious (wrestler)|Sid Vicious]] on February 28, 2009.
On March 14, 2014, he returned and defeated [[Gangrel (wrestler)|Gangrel]] at [[Carl Perkins]] Benefit event.
===Proposed match with Hulk Hogan (2007–2008)===
In 2007, it was announced that Lawler would be participating in a 'dream match' with [[Hulk Hogan]] which had been set to take place in the [[Memphis Wrestling]] promotion on April 27. The match had been heavily hyped by promoter Corey Maclin as Hogan had competed in the Memphis territory early in his career.<ref name=Lawlerbook-Hogan>{{cite book|title=It's Good To Be The King... Sometimes|author=Jerry "The King" Lawler with Doug Asheville|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|isbn=0-7434-5768-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/itsgoodtobekings00lawl/page/367 367–368]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/itsgoodtobekings00lawl/page/367}}</ref> On April 12, however, Lawler pulled out of the event citing his contractual obligations to WWE rendering him unable to appear on a show that was due to be filmed by [[VH1]] for the television show ''[[Hogan Knows Best]]''.<ref name=Cancellation>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070415/ai_n19013656|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111062406/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070415/ai_n19013656|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2007|title=WWE derails Lawler vs. Hogan|author=Blackjack Brown|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=January 11, 2008|date=April 15, 2007}}</ref> On January 11, 2008, Maclin revealed that he filed a lawsuit against WWE, claiming that pressure on Lawler (and others) to withdraw from the event violated section two of the [[Sherman Antitrust Act]].<ref name=memphisdailynews>{{cite web|url=http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=35183|title=Memphis Promoter Files Suit Against WWE|author=Bill Dries|publisher=Memphis Daily News|date=January 11, 2008|access-date=January 11, 2008}}</ref>
===Jerry Lawler's Memphis Wrestling (2010)===
In May 2010, Lawler announced a new TV wrestling show called, ''Jerry Lawler's Memphis Wrestling''. The show was set to debut on [[Ion Network]] channel 50 in Memphis on June 5 at the classic 11 am timespot. Three episodes were taped on May 20, 2010, at the Vine in Memphis. On September 11, 2010, Lawler announced that there would no longer be any new shows, but that the talent was still available for fundraisers.
=== Northeast Wrestling (2002–2022) ===
Since 2002, Lawler has wrestled for [[Northeast Wrestling]]. His first match was on November 9, 2002, when he defeated [[Sean Waltman|Syxx-Pac]].
On April 30, 2005, he defeated [[King Kong Bundy]] with special guest referee [[Mick Foley]] in Bristol, Connecticut.
From 2006 to 2007, he feuded with former WWE wrestler [[Romeo Roselli]].
On January 15, 2011, he defeated [[Tommy Dreamer]] in a cage match. Then on October 1, 2011, he defeated [[Terry Funk]] in a No Disqualification No Holds Barred match.
In 2013, he returned to Northeast after a heart attack in 2012 where he defeated [[Matt Striker]] on September 21.
On August 25, 2017, he lost to [[NEW Heavyweight Championship|NEW Heavyweight Champion]] [[Cody Rhodes]] in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
From 2015 to 2019, he has been feuding with Brian Anthony. Lawler would team with Keith Youngblood defeating Anthony Battle and Daniel Evans on April 26, 2019, for the NEW Tag Team titles. They dropped the tiles to Brian Anthony and Daniel Evans on August 17.
On August 14, 2021, Lawler defeated [[Enzo Amore]] in a [[Casket match]] in Poughkeepsie, New York.
=== Return to the independent circuit (2013–2023) ===
He returned to wrestling in 2013 nearly a year after his heart attack in an appearance in WWE. His first match back was on May 25 in an 8 Tag team where he teamed with [[Dory Funk Jr.]] which they won at [[Funking Conservatory]] in [[Ocala, Florida]]. On July 7, 2014, he defeated [[Scott Steiner]] at Wild Fire Wrestling in Memphis. A week later, he went to [[World Wrestling Council]] in Puerto Rico where he defeated [[Carlito (wrestler)|Carlito]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
On October 24, 2015, Lawler defeated [[Terry Funk]] by disqualification at ''USA Championship Wrestling'' in [[Jackson, Tennessee]], at the [[Oman Arena]]. He would feud with [[Tommy Rich]] from 2017 to 2018. On March 23, 2019, he teamed with [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]] defeating Scott Steiner and [[Buff Bagwell]] for the Grind City Tag Team titles at a [[Memphis Grizzlies]] game.
At 70, Lawler put his career on the line on January 18, 2020, against Arkansas Heavyweight Champion [[Matt Riviera]] in a "Title vs Career" match at Championship Wrestling of Arkansas' "No Surrender" event in [[North Little Rock|North Little Rock, Arkansas]], where he won the match and the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2019/12/03/jerry-lawler-set-to-put-career-on-the-line-in-2020/|title=Set To Put Career On The Line|access-date=December 3, 2019|publisher=www.ringsidenews.com|date=December 3, 2019}}</ref>
==Other endeavors==
Lawler has created some musical recordings. Among these are two late-1970s singles: "Cadillac Man/Memphis", and "Bad News". During his feud with manager [[Jimmy Hart]] (Lawler is a factor for "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart entering professional wrestling; Lawler wanted to record a wrestling album with him singing, and since they had gone to school together, he called Hart and asked him to be a part of it) in the mid-1980s, Hart became known as "The Wimp", a nickname given to him by Lawler and chanted by fans. Hart was the subject of the song "Wimpbusters", which was sung by Lawler to the tune of the popular hit "[[Ghostbusters (song)|Ghostbusters]]" by [[Ray Parker Jr.]]. A music video was also made, featuring Lawler, legendary announcer [[Lance Russell]], and wrestlers such as [[Randy Savage]], [[Jimmy Valiant]], [[Dutch Mantel]], [[Tommy Rich]], and [[Rufus R. Jones]], along with footage of "The King" beating Hart and his "First Family." A very young [[Brian Christopher]] also made an appearance as a young child being bullied, and another child is seen wearing a replica of [[Tully Blanchard]]'s [[West Texas A&M University|West Texas State]] jersey. He also recorded a [[Compact Disc|CD]] titled ''Memphis' Other King''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kinglawler.com/cd.html|title=Lawler's Album|access-date=May 28, 2007 |publisher=KingLawler.com}}</ref>
Lawler had his own talk show called "The Jerry Lawler Show" on WMC-TV in Memphis during the 1980s.
In 1998, Lawler appeared in the film ''[[Man on the Moon (film)|Man on the Moon]]'', starring [[Jim Carrey]].<ref name=slambio/> According to Lawler's autobiography, ''It's Good To Be The King... Sometimes'', an incident involving Jim Carrey forgetting a line led to animosity between the two actors during filming. Between scenes Jim Carrey often remained in character as Andy Kaufman and at one point spit on Jerry, just as Kaufman had done in 1982. A 'stunned' Lawler reacted by grabbing Carrey by the hair and locked him in a sleeper hold and jerking his neck— sending Carrey to the hospital.
In 1999, Lawler ran for mayor of [[Memphis, Tennessee]].<ref name=mayor>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jul7_lawler.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115095426/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jul7_lawler.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Lawler running for mayor|agency=Associated Press|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=October 8, 2007|date=July 7, 1999}}</ref> His platform focused on making the streets safer for residents, beautifying the city, and improving the quality of education.<ref name=serious>{{cite web|last=Baker|first=Jackson|title=Yes, Folks, Jerry Lawler is Serious|work=Weekly Wire|url=http://weeklywire.com/ww/07-26-99/memphis_cvr.html|access-date=October 9, 2007|archive-date=October 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012155702/http://weeklywire.com/ww/07-26-99/memphis_cvr.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, he vowed to attract businesses to Memphis, improve the flow of traffic, create more parks, and decrease property taxes.<ref name=serious/> Lawler ended up with 11.7% of ballots, beating twelve of the fifteen candidates.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news|last=Yellin|first=Emily|title=Memphis Mayor Is Re-elected by a Surprisingly Wide Margin|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE2D61131F93AA35753C1A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print |access-date=October 9, 2007 |date=October 9, 1999}}</ref> Ultimately, however, Mayor [[W. W. Herenton|Willie Herenton]] was easily reelected.<ref name=nyt/>
In 2000, Lawler made a very brief cameo appearance in the music video of "I Can't Lie To Me" By [[Clay Davidson]]. On December 17, 2002; he released his autobiography titled ''It's Good To Be The King... Sometimes''. On July 8, 2009, Lawler again ran for the position of Mayor of Memphis in a special mayoral election; on October 15, 2009. He was in 5th with 4% of the vote.
Lawler is also a commercial artist, designing graphics for various companies, including WWE. In 2007, he painted the cover of the wrestling comic book ''[[Headlocked (comics)|Headlocked]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookbin.com/comicnews001.html |title=Visionary Comics Sticking to {{sic|it's|nolink=y}} Guns|date=August 24, 2008|publisher= ComicBookBin.com}}</ref>
In 2012, he played the role of Sheriff Jackson Cole in the [[horror comedy]] film ''Girls Gone Dead''.
Lawler has provided his voice for numerous WWE [[video games]] in which he has appeared as a commentator. He is also a playable character in a number of WWE games, ''[[WWE All Stars]]'' as a wrestler, ''[[WWE '12]]'' as both a wrestler and a commentator and ''[[WWE '13]]'', ''[[WWE 2K14]]'', ''[[WWE 2K15]]'', and ''[[WWE 2K16]]'', ''[[WWE 2K17]]'' and ''[[WWE 2K Battlegrounds]]'' simply as a commentator and ''[[WWE 2K20]]'' as a wrestler.
In 2016, Lawler and business partner Barry Aycock opened a wrestling-themed establishment ''King Jerry Lawler's Hall of Fame Bar & Grille'' on [[Beale Street]], [[Downtown Memphis, Tennessee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/entertainment/lifestyle/general/jerry-lawler-2beadd25-fc71-1aeb-e053-0100007f11b3-371180061.html|title='King Jerry Lawler' to open Beale bar and grill this spring|website=CommercialAppeal.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref> The next year Lawler opened King Jerry Lawler's Memphis BBQ Co. in [[Cordova, Tennessee]].
In March 2017, Lawler launched the wrestling and pop-culture podcast ''Dinner with the King''. His co-host is Glenn Moore and the podcast is produced by Pod Avenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.podavenue.com/king|title=Dinner with The King - Jerry Lawler and Glenn Moore|date=May 5, 2020}}</ref> The podcast ceased production after Moore was accused of scamming Lawler fans who tried to buy merchandise and artwork from Lawler. Lawler and new co-host Scott Reedy started a new podcast called ''The Jerry Lawler Show'' in 2019 and ran until 2020.
==Personal life==
[[File:10.16.11JerryLawlerByLuigiNovi.jpg|thumb|left|Lawler signing autographs for fans at the [[New York Comic Con]] in Manhattan, October 16, 2011]]
Lawler is the cousin of fellow [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] [[The Honky Tonk Man]].<ref name="wwemagjuly07">{{cite journal|title=Amazing But True..|journal=WWE Magazine|issue=13|page=23|date=July 2007}}</ref> Lawler has been married three times and had two sons with his first wife, Kay.<ref name=wives>{{cite web|last=Bowden|first=Scott|title=Lawler's new book is good...sometimes|url=http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/wrestling/24.html|access-date=October 15, 2007|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201110058/http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/wrestling/24.html|archive-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> His son [[Brian Christopher|Brian]], who wrestled in WWF/E under the names "Brian Christopher" and "Grandmaster Sexay," died by suicide on July 29, 2018. His other son, Kevin, has been in professional wrestling as both a [[Referee (professional wrestling)|referee]] and wrestler under the names "Kevin Christian" and "Freddie Gilbert," the latter of which was used during a stint as the "[[Kayfabe#Relationships|brother]]" of [[Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)|Eddie Gilbert]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}}
In his book, ''It's Good To Be The King ... Sometimes'', Lawler says he believes Kevin's short physical stature has prevented him from reaching success similar to Brian.{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}} In August 2008, Kevin was arrested on charges of trespassing and aggravated burglary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?s=8915023|title=Jerry "The King" Lawler's son arrested on burglary charges|date=August 28, 2008|access-date=August 29, 2008|publisher=WMC-TV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831062715/http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=8915023|archive-date=August 31, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> After divorcing Kay, Lawler was later married to Paula from February 14, 1982, to October 2, 1991.<ref name=wives/>
He met his third wife, [[Stacy Carter|Stacy "The Kat" Carter]], at a [[Charitable organization|charity]] [[softball]] game in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], on July 23, 1989.<ref>Jerry Lawler. It's Good to Be the King ... Sometimes (p.333)</ref> They married in September 2000.<ref name=slambio/> In mid-February 2001, Carter (who was a valet and has also made in-ring appearances) was released by the World Wrestling Federation.<ref name=jl403>Jerry Lawler. It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes (p.403)</ref> Lawler then left the company in protest.<ref name=jl403/> Carter and Lawler later separated shortly before Lawler rejoined the WWF in November 2001. Their divorce was finalized on October 15, 2003.<ref name=jl372>Jerry Lawler. It's Good to Be the King ... Sometimes (pp. 372-373)</ref>
Though he has spent most of his life in Memphis, Lawler did spend a part of his childhood in [[Ohio]] after his father was transferred to a Ford Motor Company assembly plant in [[Lorain, Ohio]]. From the ages of 7 to 15 his family resided in the city of [[Amherst, Ohio]], a suburb near [[Cleveland]]. Although this stay was brief, it would have an influence on Lawler throughout his life thereafter. He often cites [[Cleveland]] as his second-favorite city behind only Memphis and is a die-hard fan of the [[Cleveland Guardians]], the [[Cleveland Browns]], and the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]. When WWE performs in Cleveland, Lawler will usually wear a Browns jersey or an Indians jersey (at [[SummerSlam (1996)|SummerSlam 1996]] he teased Browns fans by wearing a [[Baltimore Ravens]] jersey, because the [[Cleveland Browns relocation controversy|original Browns moved to Baltimore]] and became the [[Baltimore Ravens|Ravens]]), and during baseball season, he would throw out the first pitch at an Indians game.{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}}
Lawler is a collector of [[Coca-Cola]] and [[Superman]] merchandise, and owns a replica of the Batmobile from the [[Batman (TV series)|1960s Batman series]].<ref name=arq>{{cite web|title=Jerry Lawler interviews David Arquette|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/superstartosuperstar/exclusives/3877160222|access-date=May 24, 2010|publisher=WWE|date=January 17, 2007}}</ref>
In late 1993, Lawler was indicted in [[Jefferson County, Kentucky]], on charges of statutory rape and sodomy of a 15-year-old girl. Lawler later made a plea for a lesser charge after witnesses refused to testify.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deadspin {{!}} Jerry Lawler Wrote A Really Dumb Letter To Prosecutors In His 1993 Rape Case |url=https://deadspin.com/jerry-lawler-wrote-a-really-dumb-letter-to-prosecutors-1822790447/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=deadspin.com |language=en}}</ref> Lawler then returned to work for the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/859929-the-35-most-shocking-arrests-in-wrestling-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601173022/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/859929-the-35-most-shocking-arrests-in-wrestling-history |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |title=The 35 Most Extraordinary Arrests in Wrestling History |last=Cobbcorn |first=John |work=[[Bleacher Report]] |date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=April 13, 2021}}</ref>
Lawler's son Brian was found hanging in the Hardeman County Jail on July 29, 2018, and was pronounced dead later that day. On the one-year anniversary of his death, Lawler filed a [[wrongful death claim|wrongful death lawsuit]] against Hardeman County, Hardeman County Sheriff John Doolen and others for allegedly failing to protect him. He alleged that Doolen had personally promised to "keep an eye" on Brian after he was incarcerated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2019/07/29/jerry-lawler-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit-against-hardeman-county/1856427001/|title=Jerry Lawler files wrongful death suit in son Brian's death, alleges he hung from cell bolt|last1=Hardiman|last2=Garland|first1=Samuel|first2=Max|date=July 29, 2019|access-date=August 31, 2019|work=[[The Commercial Appeal]]}}</ref>
On February 7, 2023, Lawler was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke at his Florida home. Lawler had previously suffered a stroke in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gallant |first=Jacob |title=Jerry Lawler suffers stroke at Florida home |url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/02/07/jerry-lawler-suffers-stroke-florida-home/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Action News 5 |date=February 7, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments==
[[File:Jerry lawler hof.jpg|right|thumb|Lawler was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2007)|WWE Hall of Fame in 2007]].]]
* '''[[American Wrestling Association]]'''
** [[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship|AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship#Title history|58 times]])<ref name="AWASH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/awasouh.htm|title=AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling Information Archive|access-date=October 7, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012150548/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/awasouh.htm|archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="AWASH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/cwa/awa-s-h.html#77|title=AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="AWASH3">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/shwawa.html|title=AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>
** [[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship]] ([[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship#Title history|10 times]]) – with [[Jimmy Valiant]] (1), [[Bill Dundee]] (3), [[Mongolian Stomper]] (1), [[Jos LeDuc]] (1), [[Austin Idol]] (1), [[Uncle Elmer|Plowboy Frazier]] (1), and [[Fred Ottman|Big Bubba]] (1)<ref name=slambio/><ref name=SouthernTag>{{cite book | first1=Royal |last1=Duncan |first2=Gary |last2=Will | title=Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present |___location=Waterloo, Ontario |orig-year=2000.|chapter= (Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: Southern Tag Team Title [Roy Welsch & Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett from 1977] | pages= 185–189| publisher=Archeus Communications |year=2006 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=SouthernTagWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/cwa/awa-s-t.html | title=Southern Tag Team Title | work=Wrestling-Titles | access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref>
** [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[AWA World Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="AWAW1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/titles/awa.titles.html|title=AWA World Title Holders|publisher=Professional Wrestling Online Museum|access-date=May 30, 2010|archive-date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421043031/http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/titles/awa.titles.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Efn|These title changes took place during an AWA hosted card as part of an interpromotional relationship between the [[American Wrestling Association]], [[World Class Wrestling Association]], and [[Continental Wrestling Association]]. Lawler also won the championship during a CWA hosted card.}}
** [[AWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[AWA World Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with [[Bill Dundee]]<ref name="AWATT1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/titles/awa.tag.titles.html|title=AWA Tag Team Title Holders|publisher=Professional Wrestling Online Museum|access-date=May 30, 2010|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232003/http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/titles/awa.tag.titles.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
**President's Award (2022)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/news/2022/05/26/jerry-the-king-lawler-to-receive-cac-presidents-award | title=Jerry "The King" Lawler to Receive CAC President's Award - News - Cauliflower Alley Club | date=May 26, 2022 | access-date=June 2, 2022 | archive-date=June 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602211417/https://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/news/2022/05/26/jerry-the-king-lawler-to-receive-cac-presidents-award | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''' Championship Wrestling of Arkansas'''
** CWA Arkansas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martínez |first1=Sebastián |title=Jerry Lawler gana un nuevo Campeonato a los 70 años |url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/86947-jerry-lawler-gana-un-nuevo-titulo-a-los-70-anos |access-date=February 10, 2020 |work=solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com |date=January 23, 2020 |language=es}}</ref>
* '''[[Championship Wrestling from Florida]]'''
** [[NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version)]] ([[NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version)#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/fl-bk.html|title=NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles|accessdate=September 19, 2022}}</ref>
* ''' [[Continental Wrestling Association|Continental Wrestling Association / Championship Wrestling Association]]'''
** [[CWA World Heavyweight Championship (Memphis)|CWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[CWA World Heavyweight Championship (Memphis)#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/cwa/tn-cwa-h.html|title=Continental Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title|work=Wrestling-Titles|access-date=June 29, 2017}}</ref>
** [[AWA International Heavyweight Championship|CWA International Heavyweight Championship]] ([[AWA International Heavyweight Championship|3 times]])<ref name=slambio/><ref name=F4WMarch7>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0307-bruno-sammartino-vs-giant-baba-305926 | title=Daily Pro Wrestling history (03/07): Bruno Sammartino vs. Giant Baba | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] | first=Brian | last=Hoops | date=March 7, 2020 | access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref>
** CWA Lord of the Ring (1988)
** [[CWA Heavyweight Championship]] ([[CWA Heavyweight Championship|1 time]])<ref name=slambio/>
** [[CWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[CWA World Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with [[Austin Idol]] (1) and [[Tommy Rich]] (1)<ref name="CWATT1">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/awaint.htm |title=CWA World Tag Team Championship History at Wrestling Information Archive |access-date=October 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181010/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/awaint.htm |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="CWATT2">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/wttcwa3.html|title=CWA World Tag Team Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>
** [[NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 times]])<ref name="NWAMA1">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/nwa/nwamdamh.htm|title=NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling Information Archive|access-date=October 7, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012150519/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/nwa/nwamdamh.htm|archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="NWAMA2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/nwa/midam-h.html|title=NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="NWAMA3">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/mamerhtnwa.html
|title=NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>
** [[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship|NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship ''(Memphis version)'']] ([[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship#Title history|7 times]])<ref name="NWASH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/cwa/awa-s-h.html|title=NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="NWASH3">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/shtmanwa.html|title=NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>
** 10,000 Dollar Tag Team Tournament- with [[Jimmy Valiant]]<ref>cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=5026</ref>
* '''[[Georgia Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[NWA Macon Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Macon Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with [[Mr. Wrestling II]] (1) and Don Greene (1)<ref name="JanMar74">{{cite web|title=Cards & Results – January–March 1974|work=Georgia Wrestling History|url=http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/cards-results/1970s/1974-1.html|access-date=May 24, 2010|archive-date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421041044/http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/cards-results/1970s/1974-1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="JanMar75">{{cite web|title=Cards & Results – January–March 1975|work=Georgia Wrestling History|url=http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/cards-results/1970s/1975-1.html|access-date=May 24, 2010|archive-date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421041738/http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/cards-results/1970s/1975-1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[Continental Championship Wrestling|NWA Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[NWA Tennessee Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Tennessee Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with Jim White<ref name="NWATTT1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/nwa/tn-t.html|title=NWA Tennessee Tag Team Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref>
*'''[[Indiana Sports Hall of Fame]]'''
**Class of 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=JERRY LAWLER INDUCTED INTO INDIANA SPORTS HALL OF FAME {{!}} PWInsider.com |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article.php?id=183603 |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=www.pwinsider.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fritz |first=Sam |date=May 12, 2024 |title=Pro-Wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler Inducted Into Indiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday |website=[[WIBC (FM)|WIBC]] |url=https://wibc.com/339303/pro-wrestler-jerry-the-king-lawler-inducted-into-indiana-sports-hall-of-fame-on-saturday/ |access-date=June 8, 2024}}</ref>
* '''International Wrestling Association'''
** IWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles">{{cite book|author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will|title=Wrestling Title Histories|publisher=Archeus Communications|year=2000|edition=4th|isbn=0-9698161-5-4 }}</ref>
* '''[[Jersey All Pro Wrestling]]'''
** [[JAPW Heavyweight Championship]] ([[JAPW Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="JAPWH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.japw.net/lockerroom/hvychamp.htm|publisher=[[Jersey All Pro Wrestling]]|access-date=April 3, 2011|title=JAPW World Heavyweight Championship History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306145737/http://www.japw.net/lockerroom/hvychamp.htm|archive-date=March 6, 2010}}</ref>
* '''[[Maryland Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[MCW Heavyweight Championship]] ([[MCW Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="MCWH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.marylandwrestling.com/mcw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135:mcw-heavyweight-championship&catid=67:title-history&Itemid=77 |publisher=[[Maryland Championship Wrestling]] |title=MCW Heavyweight Championship |access-date=May 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527064313/http://www.marylandwrestling.com/mcw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135%3Amcw-heavyweight-championship&catid=67%3Atitle-history&Itemid=77 |archive-date=May 27, 2012 }}</ref>
** [[MCW Tag Team Championship]] ([[MCW Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with The Bruiser<ref name="MCWTT1">{{cite web|url=http://www.marylandwrestling.com/mcw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=136:mcw-tag-team-championship&catid=67:title-history&Itemid=77|title=MCW Tag Team Championship|publisher=[[Maryland Championship Wrestling]]|access-date=May 3, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607151316/http://www.marylandwrestling.com/mcw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=136%3Amcw-tag-team-championship&catid=67%3Atitle-history&Itemid=77|archive-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref>
* '''[[Memphis Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship|MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship#MCW Southern Heavyweight Title History|2 times]])<ref name="MECWH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/memphis/mcw/mcw-s-h.html|title=MCW Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="MECWH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/shwmcw3.html|title=MCW Heavyweight Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>
* '''[[Memphis Wrestling]]'''
** [[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]])
** Memphis Wrestling Television Championship (1 time)
*'''[[Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**Class of 2017<ref>{{cite web |title=Next Official Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony |website=Official Memphis Wrestling |url=https://memphis-wrestling.jimdosite.com/hall-of-fame/ |access-date=September 22, 2021}}</ref>
* '''[[Northeast Wrestling]]'''
** NEW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Keith Youngblood
* '''[[NWA Mid-America]]'''
** [[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship|NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship ''(Mid-America version)'']] ([[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship#Title history|10 times]])<ref name="NWASH2"/><ref name="NWASH3"/>
** [[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship|NWA Southern Tag Team Championship ''(Mid-America version)'']] ([[AWA Southern Tag Team Championship#Title history|9 times]]) – with [[Jim White (wrestler)|Jim White]] (7), [[Uncle Elmer|Plowboy Frazier]] (1), and [[Bill Dundee]] (1)<ref name="NWASTT1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/cwa/awa-s-t.html|title=NWA Southern Tag Team Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref>
** [[NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship#Title history|5 times]])<ref name="NWASJH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/nwa/nwasouj.htm|title=NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling Information Archive|access-date=October 7, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012150525/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/nwa/nwasouj.htm|archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="NWASJH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/others/south-j.html|title=NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref>
** [[NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Championship]] (''Alabama version'') ([[NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=TriHeavyBook>{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan and Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories |chapter= Alabama: NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Title | edition=4th | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2006 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name="NWATSAHVYL">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/nwa/al-tri-h.html|title=Tri-State Heavyweight Title (Alabama) History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 7, 2009}}</ref>
** [[NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship (Alabama version)|NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship]] (''Alabama version'') ([[NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship (Alabama version)#Title history|2 times]]) – with Steve Lawler<ref name=TriTagBook>{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan and Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories |chapter= Alabama: NWA Tri-State Tag Team Title | edition=4th | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2006 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=TriTagWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/nwa/al-tri-t.html | title=NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship (Alabama version) | access-date=April 20, 2015 | publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
** [[NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version)|NWA United States Tag Team Championship]] (''Mid-America version'') ([[NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version)#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Jackie Fargo]] (1)<ref name=USTagMA>{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan and Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications | chapter= Tennessee: U.S. Tag Team Title | pages= 194 | year= 2000 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=USTagMAWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/nwa/tn-us-t.html | title=NWA United States Tag Team Title (Mid-America) | publisher=wrestling-titles.com | access-date=April 23, 2015}}</ref>
** NWA Southern States Heavyweight Championship Tournament (1975)<ref>cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=5359</ref>
* '''[[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA Polynesian Wrestling]]'''
** NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="NWAPPH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/hi/poly/poly-h.html|title=NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref>
* '''[[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA Virginia]]'''
** NWA All-Star Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="NWAASH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/va/nwa-va/asw-h.html|title=NWA All-Star Wrestling Heavyweight Title|access-date=February 16, 2012}}</ref>
* '''[[Power Pro Wrestling]]'''
** [[Power Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship|PPW Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with Bill Dundee<ref name="PPWTT1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/memphis/ppw/ppw-t.html|title=PPW Tag Team Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="PPWTT2">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttppw.html|title=PPW Tag Team Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name=F4WApril17>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0417-wcw-spring-stampede-1994-309086 | title=Daily pro wrestling (04/17): WCW Spring Stampede 1994 | date=April 17, 2020 | access-date=April 17, 2020 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] | first=Brian | last=Hoops}}</ref>
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** [[PWI Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1992) <small>with [[Jeff Jarrett]] vs. [[The Moondogs (professional wrestling)|The Moondogs]]</small><ref name="PWIFOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwifoty.htm |title=PWI Feud of the Year page at Wrestling Information Archive |access-date=October 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616062707/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwifoty.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2008 }}</ref>
** Feud of the Year (1993) <small>vs. [[Bret Hart]]</small><ref name="PWIFOW"/>
** [[PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (1993, 1995)<ref name="PWIMHW">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimhoty.htm |title=PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year page at Wrestling Information Archive |access-date=October 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829063304/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimhoty.htm |archive-date=August 29, 2011 }}</ref>
** [[PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]] (1988, 2012)<ref name="PWIMIW">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiinsp.htm |title=PWI Most Inspiration Wrestler of the Year page at Wrestling Information Archive |access-date=October 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616062715/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiinsp.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2008 }}</ref>
** Ranked No. 7 of the 500 top singles wrestlers in the ''[[PWI 500]]'' in 1992<ref name="PWI500">{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1992.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1992|publisher=Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 23 of the 500 top singles wrestlers in the ''PWI Years'' in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|access-date=September 6, 2010|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – PWI Years|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707054220/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 56 of the 100 top tag teams of the ''PWI Years'' with [[Bill Dundee]] in 2003<ref name="PWI100TT">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi100tg.htm |title=PWI Top 100 Tag Teams of the PWI Years page at Wrestling Information Archive |access-date=October 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616063257/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi100tg.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2008 }}</ref>
* '''[[Superstars of Wrestling|Pro Wrestling This Week]]'''
** Wrestler of the Week (December 6–12, 1987)<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Pro Wrestling This Week |series=[[Superstars of Wrestling]] |first=Joe |last=Pedicino |author-link=Joe Pedicino |first2=Gordon (hosts) |last2=Solie |author2-link=Gordon Solie |network=[[Broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] |station=[[WATL]] |___location=[[Atlanta, Georgia]] |date=December 12, 1987 }}</ref>
* '''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]'''
** Class of 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwhf.blogspot.com/2010/11/lawler-mcmahon-road-warriors-among-pwhf.html|title=Lawler, McMahon, Road Warriors among PWHF Class of 2011|work=Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|date=November 26, 2010|access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref>
* '''[[Smoky Mountain Wrestling]]'''
** [[SMW Heavyweight Championship]] ([[SMW Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]])<ref name="SMWH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/smwtit.htm |title=SMW Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling Information Archive |access-date=October 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012150604/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/smwtit.htm |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="SMWH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/knoxville/smw/smw-h.html|title=SMW Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="SMWH3">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/whtsmw.html|title=SMW Heavyweight Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>
* '''Traditional Championship Wrestling'''
** TCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with [[Matt Riviera]]<ref name="TCWTT">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/other-news/jerry-lawler-wins-tcw-tag-team-championship.php|title=Jerry Lawler Wins TCW Tag Team Championship|access-date=February 16, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817013418/http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/other-news/jerry-lawler-wins-tcw-tag-team-championship.php|archive-date=August 17, 2011}}</ref>
* '''[[United States Wrestling Association]]'''
** [[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship|USWA Heavyweight Championship]] ([[AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]])<ref name="USWAH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/uswasou.htm |title=USWA Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling Information Archive |access-date=October 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012150609/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/uswasou.htm |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="USWAH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/uswa/uswa-h.html|title=USWA Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="USWAH3">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/shwawa.html|title=USWA Heavyweight Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>
** [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship|USWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=slambio/><ref name=TexasBook>{{cite book| last1=Will | first1=Gary | first2=Royal | last2= Duncan | title=Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2000 | ___location=Pennsylvania | chapter=Texas: NWA Texas Heavyweight Title [Von Erich] | isbn=0-9698161-5-4 | pages=268–269}}</ref><ref name=TexasWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/tx-h.html | title= NWA Texas Heavyweight Title | access-date=March 30, 2017 | work=Wrestling-Titles}}</ref>
** [[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship#Title history|28 times]])<ref name="USWAUH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/uswatit.htm|title=USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling Information Archive|access-date=October 7, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012150619/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/uswatit.htm|archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="USWAUH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/uswa/uswa-uh.html|title=USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="USWAUH3">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/uhtuswa.html|title=USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>
** [[USWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[USWA World Tag Team Championship#Title history|6 times]] ) – with [[Jeff Jarrett]] (4) and Bill Dundee (2)<ref name="USWATT1">{{cite book|first=Royal|last=Duncan|author2=Gary Will|title=Wrestling Title Histories|publisher=Archeus Communications|chapter=(Memphis, Nashville) Memphis: USWA Tag Team Title|pages=200–202|year=2006|isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref>
** [[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship|USWA World Heavyweight Title Number One Seed Round Robin Tournament (1990)]]<ref>cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=958</ref>
** [[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship|USWA World Heavyweight Championship Tournament (1990)]]<ref>cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=957</ref>
** [[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship|USWA World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender's Tournament (1993)]]<ref>cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=3144</ref>
* '''[[Windy City Pro Wrestling]]'''
** WCPW Battle Royal Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/il/wcpw/wcpw-br.html|title= WCPW Battle Royal Title History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref>
* '''[[World Class Championship Wrestling|World Class Wrestling Association]]'''
** [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 time]])<ref name=WCWAWorldBook>{{cite book |author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will |title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications |chapter = (Dallas) Texas: WCWA World Heavyweight Title [Von Eric]| pages = 266 |year= 2000 |isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=WCWAHeavyWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/wcwa/wcwa-h.html | title=WCWA World Heavyweight Title | access-date=December 26, 2019 | work=Wrestling-Titles}}</ref>
** [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship|WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="WCWATH1">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/nwa/nwatxh.htm|title=WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling Information Archive|access-date=October 9, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012150536/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/nwa/nwatxh.htm|archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="WCWATH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/tx-h.html#wcwa|title=WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=October 9, 2007}}</ref><ref name="WCWATH3">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/thtwccw.html|title=WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship History at Solie.org|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>
* '''[[World Wrestling Council]]'''
** Caribbean Cup (2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=114253|title=WWC Wrestle Fest 2014 - Tag 2 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=CageMatch.net|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
* '''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE]]'''
** [[Royal Rumble match#Other Royal Rumble matches|''Raw'' Rumble]] (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/raw11.htm|title=WWE Raw 2011|publisher=The History of WWE|first=Graham|last=Cawthon|access-date=June 9, 2015}}</ref>
** [[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame#Individuals|Class of 2007]])<ref name="WWEHOF1">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/|title=WWE Hall of Fame page|access-date=May 28, 2007 |publisher=WWE}}</ref>
** [[Slammy Award]] (5 times)
*** Mouthiest ([[Slammy Award#1994 Slammy Awards|1994]])
*** I'm Talking and I Can't Shut Up ([[Slammy Award#1996 Slammy Awards|1996]])
*** Most Embarrassing Moment (1996) – {{small|Kissing his own foot}}
*** WWE.com Exclusive Video of the Year ([[Slammy Award#2012 Slammy Awards|2012]]) – {{small|Speaking to WWE.com about his miraculous return}}
*** Comeback of the Year (2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-12-17/slammy-award-winners-26077044/page-4|title=2012 WWE Slammy Awards and WWE.com Slammy Awards winners|access-date=December 18, 2012|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
* '''''[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Color Commentator|Best Color Commentator]] (1995, 1996)
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1987) <small>vs. Austin Idol and Tommy Rich</small>
** Feud of the Year (1992) <small>with Jeff Jarrett vs. The Moondogs</small>
** Feud of the Year (1993) <small> vs. Bret Hart</small>
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Feud of the Year|Worst Feud of the Year]] (1994) <small> vs. [[Doink the Clown]]</small>
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Television Announcer|Worst Television Announcer]] (2002)
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Worked Match of the Year|Worst Worked Match of the Year]] (1994) <small>with Sleazy, Queasy and Cheesy vs. Clowns R' Us at [[Survivor Series (1994)|Survivor Series]]</small>
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] (Class of 1996)<ref name="WONHOF">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/hallofame.html|title=Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|access-date=May 24, 2010|archive-date=July 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714111434/http://pwi-online.com/pages/hallofame.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''''[[Xcitement Wrestling Federation]]'''''
** XWF World Heavweight Championship (1 time)
*'''''Other titles'''''
** USACW United States Championship (1 time)
==Luchas de Apuestas record==
{{See also|Lucha libre#Luchas de Apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" width=100% style="text-align: center"
!width=20% scope="col"|Winner (wager)
!width=20% scope="col"|Loser (wager)
!width=20% scope="col"|Location
!width=20% scope="col"|Event
!width=15% scope="col"|Date
!class="unsortable" width=5% scope="col"|Notes
|-
|Jerry Lawler (hair) || Inferno (mask) || Nashville, Tennessee || GWE Nashville || {{dts|1974|6|5}} ||<ref name="WD Facts">{{cite web |url=http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=61&newsref=|title=Jerry Lawler|publisher=WrestlingData.com}}</ref>
|-
|Jerry Lawler (hair) || The Mummy (mask) || Memphis, Tennessee || GWE Memphis || {{dts|1974|12|2}} ||<ref name="WD Facts"/>
|-
|Jerry Lawler (hair) || John Louie (hair) || Memphis, Tennessee || CWA Memphis || {{dts|1978|4|24}} ||<ref name="WD Facts"/>
|-
|Bill Dundee (hair) ||Jerry Lawler (championship) || Memphis, Tennessee || CWA Live event || {{dts|1979|10|01}} ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=20258|title=CWA « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=CageMatch.net|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|Jerry Lawler (hair) || Tom Branch (hair) || Memphis, Tennessee || CWA Memphis || {{dts|1985|11|11}} ||<ref name="WD Facts"/>
|-
|Jerry Lawler (hair) || Big Bubba (hair) || Memphis, Tennessee || CWA Memphis || {{dts|1986|11|23}} ||<ref name="WD Facts"/>
|-
|Austin idol (hair) || Jerry Lawler (hair and [[AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship|championship]]) || Memphis, Tennessee || CWA show || {{dts|1987|04|27}} ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=21974|title=CWA « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=CageMatch.net|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|Jerry Lawler (hair) || Don Bass (hair) || Memphis, Tennessee || CWA Memphis || {{dts|1987|8|31}} ||<ref name="WD Facts"/>
|-
|Jerry Lawler (hair) || Christmas Creature (mask) || Memphis, Tennessee || USWA Memphis || {{dts|1992|12|28}} ||<ref name="WD Facts"/>
|}
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
* {{Cite book | author = Lawler, Jerry | title = It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes | year = 2002 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] | isbn = 978-0-7434-5768-2 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/itsgoodtobekings00lawl |ref=none}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{WWE superstar}}
*{{IMDb name|name=Jerry Lawler}}
*{{Professional wrestling profiles}}
{{Navboxes|
|list1=
{{AWA World Heavyweight Championship}}
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{{WWE Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawler, Jerry}}
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